Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for July 2016

Pepperl+Fuchs launches new sensor for internet of things

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pepperl+fuchs sensorik 4.0 sensor

Sensorik 4.0: Cloud-based sensor for the internet of things 

Sensors are valuable sources of information and can also be used outside of conventional machine and plant engineering to optimize processes and conserve resources.

The Internet of Things opens up new possibilities for networking even sensors spread over long distances. Sensor signals can be provided at exactly the right time in the place where the information contained in the signals can be used profitably.

For example, the detection of filling levels using modern sensor technology is possible in most cases with lesser or greater ease. Where containers are spread over long distances, however, greater cost is often involved with the transmission of sensor signals. [Read more…] about Pepperl+Fuchs launches new sensor for internet of things

Stainless steel belts in robotics applications showcased at M-Tech 2016

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belt technologies automated-assembly-metal-timing-belt

2016 marks the third year Belt Technologies has attended the Mechanical Components & Materials Technology Expo.

The event, also referred to as “M-Tech”, is held annually each June at Tokyo Big Sight in Japan and is one of the world’s largest exhibitions of mechanical and processing technology.

Alan Wosky, president of Belt Technologies, says: “M-Tech has been a great experience each year that we’ve attended. [Read more…] about Stainless steel belts in robotics applications showcased at M-Tech 2016

Innovation launches RxCollect robotic prescription collation system

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rxcollect fanuc

Automated collation system streamlines high volume workflow and increases prescription throughput

Innovation, makers of PharmAssist pharmacy automation solutions, has launched RxCollect, a robotic prescription collation technology that automates the collection of patient-specific group and multi-vial orders in central fill and mail order pharmacies employing single piece flow processing.

Tom Boyer, COO, Innovation, says: “When it comes to increasing efficiency and reducing waste in high-volume prescription environments, lean manufacturing’s single piece flow typically wins out over filling prescriptions in batch mode.

“With that in mind, we invented RxCollect as a downstream automated collation solution for high-volume pharmacies filling patient orders in a continuous, single piece flow mode of operation.  [Read more…] about Innovation launches RxCollect robotic prescription collation system

Yaskawa Motoman introduces specialised workcell for pharmaceutical sector

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yaskawa motoman drug dealing robot

Yaskawa Motoman has introduced the RX Unit Pick Workcell, which it says is a fully automated robotic pharmacy order fulfillment system capable of handling thousands of different kinds of pre-packaged medicine with 100 per cent verification for mail order delivery direct to customers or to central fill locations.

Developed jointly by the Motoman Robotics Division of Yaskawa America, R/X Automation Solutions (RXAS) and Universal Robotics, the RX Unit Pick Workcell recognizes each item, verifies the unique National Drug Code (NDC) and prepares it for automatic patient labeling.

Its compact design enables it to be integrated into existing order fulfillment processes either as a stand-alone solution or added to other RXAS automation equipment.  [Read more…] about Yaskawa Motoman introduces specialised workcell for pharmaceutical sector

Mercedes autonomous bus takes passengers towards a future of ‘spectacular’ smart cities

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Mercedes has launched an autonomous bus with a view to the future of integrated intelligent transport systems for smart cities. 

The company unveiled its Mercedes-Benz Future Bus with CityPilot, which it says is “a milestone on the way to the autonomous city bus, and a revolutionary mobility system for the future”.

Some of the key features of the new Mercedes technology are:

  • CityPilot: a software platform for autonomous driving in urban public transport
  • Mercedes-Benz Future Bus: autonomous vehicle with a “trailblazing” design

[Read more…] about Mercedes autonomous bus takes passengers towards a future of ‘spectacular’ smart cities

Yamaha launches new autonomous boat

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Yamaha Breeze autonomous boat
The Yamaha Breeze, an autonomous unmanned compact electric survey craft

Company says the Breeze 10 unmanned boat is an electric craft for dam lake bed sediment surveying

Yamaha has developed the Breeze 10 autonomous unmanned compact electric survey craft.

The company designed the new product to support sounding work such as measuring the sediment levels of dams, and will commence business rentals principally aimed at commercial surveyors in August 2016.

Breeze 10 is an electric FRP craft approximately three meters in length, developed to enable easy mounting of measurement equipment such as narrow multibeam sonar, which is increasingly popular in measurement work, including domestic dam silt level measurement.  [Read more…] about Yamaha launches new autonomous boat

Nissan using alien technology from Mars inside autonomous car system

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From Nasa mission control to the driver’s seat: an interview with the alien technology developer shaping the future of autonomous driving for Nissan 

Space was not the final frontier for computer scientist Maarten Sierhuis.

The former Nasa scientist, who once designed human-robot interactions and developed collaborative intelligent systems for space exploration, now focuses his efforts a bit closer to home: the artificial intelligence that’s helping power the future of Nissan’s autonomous vehicles.

But the passion that carried the robotics and artificial intelligence expert to the apogee of the US space program hasn’t cooled with his move to an earthly job as director of the Nissan Research Center (NRC) in California’s Silicon Valley.  [Read more…] about Nissan using alien technology from Mars inside autonomous car system

Nissan to launch ‘revolutionary’ new Serena autonomous car

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The Nissan Serena, with ProPilot autonomous technology
The Nissan Serena, with ProPilot autonomous technology

Nissan is to introduce its new Serena autonomous car to the Japanese market

Nissan says the new Serena, scheduled to go on sale in Japan in late August, will come equipped with the company’s ProPilot autonomous drive technology. 

Nissan says ProPilot is a “revolutionary” autonomous drive technology designed for highway use in single-lane traffic.

Nissan claims to be the first Japanese automaker to introduce a combination of steering, accelerator and braking that can be operated in full automatic mode, easing driver workload in heavy highway traffic and long commutes.  [Read more…] about Nissan to launch ‘revolutionary’ new Serena autonomous car

Seegrid names Pete Chryplewicz to Detroit, Michigan robotics leadership initiative

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Promoted 

Seegrid, the pioneer and leader in vision-based autonomous industrial vehicles, today announced the addition of Pete Chryplewicz to the Company’s strategic account sales team.  Chryplewicz will be heading up the important Detroit, Michigan robotics leadership initiative. 

Pete Chryplewicz, Seegrid
Pete Chryplewicz, Seegrid

“I am honored to be leading the Seegrid Michigan robotics initiative. Seegrid recognizes the value of the state, its industries, and the role of automotive automation in the global economy.  I look forward to working with Michigan’s top automotive manufacturing companies and their team members to innovate manufacturing processes and increase competitiveness with Seegrid vision guided vehicles,” stated Chryplewicz.

Chris Visnic, Seegrid Vice President of Sales, noted, “Pete is an industry veteran and Seegrid is honored to have him on our team.  His expertise in automotive manufacturing will greatly benefit Seegrid and the clients he works with.  He understands the needs of manufacturing companies and will work hard to expand Seegrid’s presence within the state.”  [Read more…] about Seegrid names Pete Chryplewicz to Detroit, Michigan robotics leadership initiative

NXP and eSSys to deliver intelligent transport systems for Korean government project

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nxp

NXP to supply RoadLink chipsets for secure vehicle-to-x communications in Korea’s next-generation intelligent transportation system project

NXP Semiconductors and eSSys will be technology partners in Korea’s next-generation Cooperative Intelligent Transportation System (C-ITS) project promoted by the Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

NXP will supply eSSys with its RoadLink V2X chipset, a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X) communication and security solution which will be test-operated on an 87.8 km route between Sejong City (city of government offices) and Daejon. The year-long pilot operation started this month.

Currently, a variety of smart transport technologies are being installed on national highways, including the primary highway for access to the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang.  [Read more…] about NXP and eSSys to deliver intelligent transport systems for Korean government project